[remy23]

http://www.24sec.net/article.asp?index=2449

[futuristxen]

Good to hear.

(Darko had 9 blocks!?)

[Bobot]

Originally Posted by futuristxen

Good to hear.

(Darko had 9 blocks!?)

I heard about that 9 blocks Darko had looks liek hes showing some of the potential people used to talk about him having.

[Pioneer10]

OT: What's funny is with all the fuss of Vasquez not coming over to the Magic, is that all the best players in this tournament are in the NBA. Guys like Kristic, Brezec, and Nesterovic who seem to have played the best also get the most playing time in the NBA. Again backs the assertion that the problem with the US team is they don't pick a good mix of players and have no continuity in team play (a "real" national team isn't even playing this summer) to play international ball

[KingoftheCourt23]

[Pioneer10]

I don't think Sasha played in the last Serbian game (a loss to Italy).

http://www.24sec.net/article.asp?index=2479

[remy23]

Since Sasha won't be playing for the Serbian team, maybe he can come to Cleveland a little early and work on his game with the players already there.

[Pioneer10]

Yep: seems kind of strange that he didn't make the squad as he played supposedly "surprisingly" well. But I guess not so surprising as he is behind a couple of old timers who are huge names in Serbia.

http://www.24sec.net/article.asp?index=2538

[remy23]

Cavs Exercise Option On Pavlovic

31st October, 2005

Press Release - The Cleveland Cavaliers have exercised the fourth-year contract option on guard/forward Sasha Pavlovic, Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry announced today.

“Sasha is a talented young player,” said Ferry. “With continued hard work, Sasha can play an important part in our team’s future.”

Pavlovic’s extension keeps him under contract with the Cavaliers through the 2006-07 season. Originally selected with the 19th overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz , Pavlovic was acquired by the Cavaliers from the Charlotte Bobcats on June 23, 2004 in exchange for a future first-round draft pick. In 144 career games (23 starts), he has averaged 4.8 points and 1.6 rebounds in 13.9 minutes per game.

[remy23]

Pavlovic grasps grand scheme

Reserve role better than serving in Serbian army

By Brian Windhorst
Beacon Journal sportswriter

CLEVELAND - Many in Sasha Pavlovic's position would be complaining, but it beats spending the winter in the Serbian army.

After an encouraging first season with the Cavaliers, Pavlovic has found himself as the odd man out in coach Mike Brown's rotation in the early going. Luke Jackson has taken most of his minutes backing up LeBron James for the 6-2 Cavs, who host the Orlando Magic tonight.

As is his nature, Pavlovic is staying even-keeled. In fact, he seems more ruffled that fellow countryman and longtime NBA player Vlade Divac is facing a year in prison, because he never enlisted in the Serbian army as required by law.

Pavlovic, too, has postponed military service playing pro basketball, which is one of the reasons losing playing time isn't such a big deal in the grand scheme.

“I can't believe they are like that with Vlade; he is very big in my country. If he wanted to be president, he'd get 100 percent of the vote,'' Pavlovic said. “They change the country's name every other year and the rules, too. I don't know what is going on there now.''

Pavlovic, 22, is using a yearly exemption to stay out of the military, which he can do until he's 27. Until then, he's trying not to worry about it. He's more focused on somehow getting out on the floor.

After missing a chunk of the preseason with a hip flexor, Pavlovic started out the season well enough. First, the Cavs picked up the option in his contract for next season, and then he appeared to have the edge on Jackson in the season's first two games.

But Brown, perhaps a little miffed at Pavlovic's defense, made the switch to Jackson in the third game and hasn't looked back. Minutes will likely get even tighter when Ira Newble returns from a foot injury in a month, but Pavlovic is content being patient.

“That's the coach's decision and I'm fine with it,'' Pavlovic said.

“I have time to fight back, but the team is winning so my job now is to play as hard as I can when I get minutes.''

Pavlovic has shown flashes of incredible offensive talent, not only as a shooter, but also in going to the basket. In those moments, it is easy to see why some compared him to Peja Stojakovic when he was drafted two years ago.

But under Brown, promising offensive talent takes a backseat to defense.

“I think we're all human. If I weren't playing I'd be a little down,'' Brown said. “He hasn't said anything; we'll continue to talk to him and continue to teach him. We only have so many minutes.''

Pavlovic will be waiting.

“All I can do is wait for my chance,'' he said. “And then use it.''

Boozer no-show

It seems former Cavaliers forward Carlos Boozer again will not be making a stop in Cleveland this year. The Utah Jazz announced Thursday that Boozer will be out at least another month and maybe longer after reaggravating a serious hamstring pull on Monday. The Jazz make their only stop in Cleveland on Dec. 20. Boozer missed last March's game in Cleveland with a foot injury.

[remy23]

Cavs’ Pavlovic injures ankle in practice

December 5, 2005

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Cavaliers reserve forward Sasha Pavlovic will be out at least two weeks after spraining his left ankle during practice on Monday in Sacramento, Calif.

X-rays were negative, the club said. The Cavaliers, who have lost the first two games of their West Coast trip, play the Kings on Tuesday night.

Pavlovic, a third-year pro, is averaging 1.9 points in 12 games this season. He and swingman Luke Jackson have struggled, forcing first-year coach Mike Brown to use a smaller rotation of players.

Pavlovic averaged 4.8 points in 65 games last season.

I guess Wilks/Jackson will see more time as a result. If Sasha stays out for a while, it could put pressure on Newble to speed up his return and if he returns before Sasha does, it could push Pavlovic down towards the end of the bench.

[futuristxen]

I'm not really sure why Luke stopped getting minutes, except his offense was atrocious. But defensively he seems to bring the attitude Mike Brown wants. Hmm. We'll see how this works out.

[remy23]

Pavlovic learns from tough game
Shooting guard recovers with nine points in start

By Brian Windhorst
Beacon Journal sportswriter

SALT LAKE CITY - His super high-profile teammate deflected all the late-game blame, but Sasha Pavlovic had one of the roughest nights of his career last week.

Playing on national television, which also means it was available in his native Europe, Pavlovic's miscues in the closing seconds of the Cavaliers' close loss to the Denver Nuggets were harsh and magnified. He missed two free throws that could have tied the game with 11 seconds to go, and then, when LeBron James stunned the audience by passing to him again, he turned the ball over trying to make another play.

As the glare turned to James, the question arose how he could put the game in the hands of the unproven and rather unknown Serbian. Meanwhile that unproven Serbian might have questioned his own worth.

He didn't.

With the Cavs searching for something, anything, at the shooting guard spot after the injury to Larry Hughes, Pavlovic has come up with several strong performances that likely will earn him more time.

After scoring nine points in his first start of the season in Saturday's win over the Utah Jazz, Pavlovic is going to get more chances.

"What happened in Denver was good for me, I think,'' said Pavlovic, now in his third NBA season. "It will make me better. That is basketball and those things happen.''

Pavlovic has averaged eight points on 46 percent shooting in the past three games. Not numbers that will inspire a massive All-Star write-in ballot campaign, but it has helped take the load off James and Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

His willingness to get to the basket and not settle for jump shots has been particularly refreshing.

Cavs coach Mike Brown has tried four different subs for Hughes -- Pavlovic, Luke Jackson, Ira Newble and Damon Jones -- and none have been difference-making or consistent.

Jackson had an 11-point game to start the West Coast trip against the Los Angeles Lakers and then fell off. Jones never shot well starting for Hughes, and Ira Newble has made one jump shot all season. So for now, it is Pavlovic.

"I'm searching there for someone to give us consistency," Brown said. "I have to give Sasha a chance just like I gave a look to the other guys.''

Pavlovic started the season in the rotation, but quickly fell out due to defensive issues. Then he missed nearly six weeks with a badly sprained ankle.

His biggest chance to be a long-term answer is now.

"I've been waiting for my chance and it is now,'' Pavlovic said. "I'm going to stay aggressive. That's how I'm going to get my minutes.''

Mr. Saturday night

LeBron James does some of his best work on Saturdays. In 10 Saturday games, he's averaging 39.5 points, seven assists and 6.1 rebounds. His top three scoring efforts have been on Saturday nights, all on the road. The Cavs are 5-5 in those games. Here's a look at the numbers:

Jan. 21: at Utah, 51 points, eight ebounds, five assists

Jan. 14: at Phoenix, 46, 8, 7

Jan. 7: vs. Milwaukee, 35, 6, 7

Dec. 31: vs. Detroit, 30, 7, 7

Dec. 17: vs. Miami, 41, 10, 5

Dec. 10: at Milwaukee, 52, 7, 7

Dec. 3: at L.A Clippers, 30, 6, 5

Nov. 26: vs. Minnesota, 38, 2, 5

Nov. 19: at Philadelphia, 36, 10, 11

Nov. 5: at Memphis, 36, 6, 2

[remy23]

Cavs Swingman Looks to Unlock Vast Potential
International Man of Mystery

by Joe Gabriele
cavs.com



Potential can be a dangerous thing. Every player in the NBA has had it at some time. At some point, some coach, some scout saw something and said, “He’s got it.” Potential can be subjective and seductive. Fulfilled, it is a king-maker. Denied, a coach killer.

The Cavaliers have a player who seems to invoke that word every time his name is mentioned: Sasha Pavlovic.

Coaches, players and fans alike see it every time the third-year swingman takes the floor. He’s even a killer from beyond the arc in the video game, NBA 2K. All the young Serbian has to do now is fulfill his hoops destiny.

Of course, that’s easier said than done – especially considering the hoops hierarchy of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Pavlovic has no choice but to scrap for minutes behind starters Larry Hughes and LeBron James. Savvy veteran, Damon Jones, is routinely the first guard off the bench. Ira Newble is a defensive stopper and David Wesley has recently been added to the backcourt mix.

"I’m just trying to play as hard as I can and do what Coach wants me to do," said the soft-spoken Pavlovic. "I know that’s the way to get minutes. If he asks me to play defense, I’ll play defense. Anything to help my team win."

But thus far this preseason, Pavlovic has shown the flashes of brilliance that make the 22-year-old such a coveted commodity. In seven games, Sasha is averaging 7.1 points, 3.1 boards and two dimes per contest, with his best night coming on Oct. 18 against the Raptors in Rochester, N.Y., when he notched 12 points in his only start of the preseason.

Entering his fourth season in the league – and his third with the Cavaliers – Pavlovic has gotten a good look from his head coach, whose only complaint with the young gun is that he has a tendency to “float.”

When Coach Brown was asked how he intends to keep Pavlovic from "floating," the answer was simple: "Sit him next to me."

Pavlovic has improved on the defensive end in the preseason because that’s what he worked on the offseason.

"I played with the Summer League team in Vegas," said Pavlovic. "It’s a long summer and if you don’t play five-on-five in something, it’s hard to come back and play good.

"I worked on everything -- especially my defense," he continued. "A lot on my legs, quickness and everything. I’m going to try to do that every day."

Brown compares his young swingman to another European player he coached a few years ago in San Antonio, Manu Ginobili. Both are crafty players who can create their own offense from any point on the floor.

"You look at Sasha, and like (Manu), you see a very talented individual – he can do a lot of things well," praised Brown. "I think he can get it, defensively; and he’s a heck of a lot better now than he was last year.

"Last year, he told one of my coaches that his defense is his offense -- and that’s probably how a handful of European players think," continued Brown. "But he’s come to understand that if he wants to be successful – especially on our team – his defense has to be his defense and his offense has to be his offense. The two words can’t be used in the same sentence."

Pavlovic has responded when his number’s been called. Last year, Sasha got the starting nod when the Cavaliers traveled to the West coast, with the first game against Utah – the team that drafted him 18 spots behind LeBron James back in 2003.

He responded by putting up nice numbers and helping the Cavaliers to wins in the first seven games he started. Pavlovic hit a wall in late February and when the Wine and Gold dealt for Flip Murray, his days in the starting lineup were numbered. The highlight of his campaign from that point on was a jaw-dropping one-handed follow-up dunk against the Miami Heat on April 1.

"It’s hard to play consistently good if you don’t get enough time," opined the fourth-year pro. "But I try to be focused as much as I can and work as hard as I can and fight through that."

Pavlovic gets a fresh start in 2006-07. He’s worked hard on his defense in the offseason and, like the Cavaliers themselves, looks to unleash his vast potential.

[remy23]

Pavlovic blocks Kidd
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